Mobile dry setting element and installation, process for using same and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A dry setting installation for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on part of a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation comprising a truncated elongated angular-, oval-shaped or part-angular-part-oval-dry setting element, which with the part of a partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; and a process for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, the process comprising the steps of: closing the dry setting element with the part of the partially submerged structure, sealing the dry setting element on the part of the partially submerged structure; pumping out the water thereby providing a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of the part of the partially submerged structure; curing the curable adhesive coating, filling the dry setting installation with water, removing the dry setting element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application, which claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No. 1219282.9 filed Oct. 26, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of partially submerged structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dry setting element, a dry setting installation, a process for treatment of a partially submerged structures and the use of the mobile dry setting installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Marine structures not only consist of sheet pile walls, but also isolated partially submerged hollow or solid structures for example marine structures such as piers, wharfs, drilling platforms, columns, pipes and piles, pilasters, stanchions, pylons legs, piling, and uprights and any other supporting member. The supporting members may be comprised of wood, concrete, metal beams and the like. Such partially submerged structures whether isolated or not require treatment to prevent and/or combat corrosion by salt water and/or water-borne pollution in seawater, brackish water or freshwater as well as infestation by marine organisms such as barnacles in salt water and zebra mussels in freshwater.

In order to perform maintenance or control operations on these partially submerged hollow or solid structures for example to check the level of corrosion, perform treatment against corrosion or replace or repair corroded parts of the structures, it is useful to make these structures easily accessible in a dry environment. Dry setting installations, also referred to as cofferdams or caissons, enable free access to the site in a dry environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,206 discloses a device for sealing a caisson comprising a bottom, two upright side walls and a back wall in a watertight way against a sheet pile wall having a longitudinal profile composed of a succession of grooves and ridges, said device comprising the combination of: a) an inflatable continuous air chamber extending along the bottom of the caisson over the total width of the caisson and along the upright side walls thereof to sealingly engage the ridges of the sheet pile wall while conforming to irregularities therein; b) a series of deformable sealing elements disposed along the bottom of the caisson to sealingly engage the grooves of the sheet pile wall, each having a profile approaching the profile of a groove, which elements are each mounted between two horizontal guiding plates disposed one above the other in a manner such as to allow a displacement of the elements in the direction of the sheet pile wall in front of the grooves therein, while said inflatable air chamber is provided for pressing these elements against the wall to enable the deformable sealing elements to adapt to deformed and irregular grooves; c) a core provided between each of said sealing elements and the air chamber, which core is adapted to be displaced between said guiding plates and is fixed to the adjoining sealing element; and d) means for allowing a lateral displacement of said sealing elements together with the guiding plates above and underneath these sealing elements with respect to the caisson.

EP 2163692A discloses a dry setting installation (1) for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work at an underwater structure, the dry setting installation (1) comprising two side-walls (2), a back wall (3), a bottom (4) and, for each side-wall, a side edge sealing means (20) provided on the side-wall edge for providing a substantially sealing contact between the side-walls (2) and the underwater structure, characterised in that the dry setting installation comprises a distance variation means (30) for varying the distance between the side edge sealing means (20) of the two side-walls (2).

GB 2114636A discloses a working chamber for use in underwater work on an underwater member, the chamber consisting of two or more chamber sections which can be locked together in contact with each other; an opening being provided at the bottom and the top of the chamber and adapted for the introduction of the member in connection with which the chamber is to be used; a sealable manhole being provided in the upper part of the chamber.

GB 2226843A discloses an apparatus for allowing work to be carried out on a foundation pile, at least part of which is submerged, comprising means for locating a work platform around the pile, the work platform being surrounded by an upwardly extending wall, means for providing a seal between the work platform and the pile, means for locating the work platform in a desired location relative to the pile whilst the seal between the work platform and the pile is being effected and means for removing any water between the surrounding wall and the pile from above the seal. In a preferred embodiment the work platform is formed in two portions, each portion of the work platform having a part-circular cut-out and a section of wall secured thereto.

GB 2046818A discloses equipment for carrying out underwater operations on the exposed head sections of foundation piles and the like, the equipment having a submergible water-free working chamber adapted to be disposed over the exposed head section, a floor near the bottom edge of the chamber, the floor having an aperture with sealing means for sealing between the head section of a foundation pile requiring attention and the floor, and the working chamber being connected to at least one shaft extending upwardly for projection beyond the water surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,140 discloses a flexible, submersible compartment which allows a user to perform repairs on submerged structures in dry conditions in the presence of rigid obstacles, said compartment comprising: a flexible diving bell adapted to be inflated so as to partially enclose a submerged structure, said flexible diving bell having an opening at an upper portion; a collar attached to said flexible bell at the opening including a seal element for sealing the opening about the submerged structure; and a lower platform-brace attached to said flexible bell comprising a plurality of interconnected modules for anchoring to the structural element, each module including a boundary member wherein the boundary members of the interconnected modules form a discontinuous ring, at least two of the modules including a boundary member having first and second pivotally interconnected segments; whereby said flexible bell when inflated, and the second segments contract upon contact with a rigid obstacle.

A major problem with maintenance of any kind is the hinder that it engenders. This is particular serious in the case of hinder to waterways and marine installations e.g. harbours, ports, bridges and oil platforms. It is important that such hinder should be reduced to a minimum. There is a therefore a need for rapidly mountable and demountable installations allowing such work to be carried out expeditiously. A further requirement is that the installation be as compact as possible both as regards limiting physical hinder during the maintenance activities and providing accessibility to isolated partially submerged structures very close to one another.

The cited prior art provides solutions to the problem of inspecting and/or repairing and/or maintaining an isolated structure by surrounding it by an installation. However, many structures are not isolated and even if isolated may not be fully surroundable with an installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable dry setting element enabling the rapid treatment of partially submerged structures in a sort of mobile dry dock for such structures with a rapid, for example 8 hours or less, turn-around-time i.e. the time taken for the whole process of treatment from the accommodation of the partially submerged structure in the reusable dry setting element to the removal of the treated isolated structure from the reusable dry setting element at sea and in rivers, canals and harbours.

An advantage of the present invention is that maintenance is possible of inaccessible tubing, legs, pylons and piles.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the dry setting element does not need to be inflated.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the dry setting element does not need to be contracted.

Still another advantage of the present information is that it can be operated at ambient pressure.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it does not require a panel or door to dock it to the partially submerged structure.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that in the case of a cylindrical partially submerged structure, the dry setting element can be smoothly moved round the structure to realise inspection and/or maintenance round the whole structure.

A further advantage of the present invention is that marine installations remain fully operational.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that due to the rapid turn-around-time treatment can be contemplated under circumstances which would not be contemplatable were a much longer turn-around-time be necessary for reasons of stability of the environment of the isolated element itself.

The above objective is accomplished by a dry setting element, a dry setting installation, a process for treatment of a partially submerged isolated structure and the use of the mobile dry setting installation of the present invention in which instead of fully surrounding the partially submerged structure it is possible to use a part of the structure itself to provide the closure for a dry setting element.

According to the present invention a dry setting element is provided for the in situ inspection and/or maintenance and/or repair of part of a partially submerged structure, said dry setting element being adapted to accommodate said part of said partially submerged structure by a sealing means i.e. the part of the partially submerged structure, which is the object of the inspection and/or maintenance and/or repair, itself provides the element closing the dry setting element.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a truncated elongated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element is provided having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means. The part of the partially submerged structure can have any profile e.g. elongated oval e.g. cylindrical, or an elongated angular, e.g. having an acute angle, a 90° angle or an obtuse angle, profile.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a dry setting installation (1) is provided for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on part of a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation (1) comprising a first truncated elongated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element of the first aspect of the present invention, which with said part of a partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round said part of said partially submerged structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a process is provided for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, said process comprising the steps of: closing the above-described dry setting element with said part of said partially submerged structure, sealing said dry setting element on said part of said partially submerged structure thereby providing a dry setting installation; pumping the water out of said dry setting installation thereby providing a cofferdam round said part of said partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of said part of said partially submerged structure; curing said curable adhesive coating, filling said dry setting installation with water, removing said dry setting element from said part of said partially submerged structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides the use of the mobile dry setting installation as disclosed above for carrying out maintenance on parts of partially submerged structures.

Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

Although there has been constant improvement, change and evolution of devices in this field, the present concepts are believed to represent substantial new and novel improvements, including departures from prior practices, resulting in the provision of more efficient, stable and reliable devices of this nature.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a dry setting element, according to the present invention, where 1 is the first (open) end, 2 is the second (closed) end with a floor, 3 is the sealing means closed except for an open part, 5, which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure and 4 and 4′ are the two elongated extremities of the truncated elongated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the process, according to the present invention, where a) shows the docking of a dry setting element, A, according to the present invention, on a cylindrical structure, P; b) shows the dry setting element, A, docked on the cylindrical structure, P, for inspection and/or maintenance and/or repairs thereof; and c) shows the de-docking of the dry setting element, A, from the cylindrical structure, P, subsequent to the inspection and/or maintenance and/or repairs process.

In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

Definitions

The term “partially submerged structure”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means a partially submerged solid or hollow structure for example a column, a pile, a pilaster, a stanchion, a pylon, an upright and a single pier. The partially submerged structure may be conductive e.g. metallic or non-conductive e.g. wood, ceramic, particularly concrete. It may be tubular, polygonal e.g. six, eight, ten or twelve-sided in cross-section.

The term “marine structure”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means any structure which is partially submerged and includes the supports of bridges, oil platforms, piping.

The term “angular-shaped”, as used in disclosing the present invention, mean a two-dimensional polygonal shape.

The term “oval-shaped”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means a two-dimensional rounded shape and includes circular and ellipsoidal shapes.

The term “oval”, as used in disclosing the present invention means a curve shaped like a section of an egg.

The term “part-angular-part-oval-shaped”, as used in disclosing the present invention means a two-dimensional shape which has at least one straight or angular element and at least one curved or oval part.

The term “elongated oval-shaped”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means an object with an oval profile extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the oval e.g. at an angle between 70° and 110°, with angle between 80° and 100° being preferred.

The term “truncated elongated oval-shaped”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means an object with an oval profile extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the oval in which the oval profile has been cut off along the whole length of the object leaving two elongated extremities.

The term “sealing element”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means an anything that can provide a seal including a welding point, a fastening means e.g. bolts, screws etc., and a seal e.g. a pneumatic seal, a closed cell foam sealing material, hydraulic tubing or a combination of one or more of these options.

The term “surface”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means the surface of a support for the adhesive coating, the support being any material to which the adhesive coating can adhere e.g. a non-conductive support such as concrete or ceramic or a conductive support such as steel.

The expression “substantially no movement”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means insufficient movement to result in water leakage.

The term “substantially planar”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means at least 90% in the same plane.

The term “substantially parallel elements”, as used in disclosing the present invention, means deviating from parallel by a maximum of 20°, preferably a maximum of 10°.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Truncated Elongated Oval-Shaped Dry Setting Element

According to a first aspect of the present invention a truncated elongated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element is provided having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the dry setting element is non-inflatable.

According to another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the dry setting element is non-contractible e.g. to accommodate the part of the partially submerged structure.

According to another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the dry setting element is capable of being used at ambient pressure (i.e. atmospheric pressure).

According to still another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the sealing means closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure is the plane formed by the elongated edges 4 and 4′, as shown in FIG. 1, or the closed parts thereof being external to the plane formed by the elongated edges 4 and 4′ and each at an angle of less than 60° (with less than 45° being preferred and less than 30° being particularly preferred) thereto.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a dry setting element, according to the present invention, where 1 is the first (open) end, 2 is the second (closed) end with a floor, 3 is the sealing means closed except for an open part, 5, which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure and 4 and 4′ are the two elongated extremities of the truncated elongated angular-, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the process, according to the present invention, where a) shows the docking of a dry setting element, A, according to the present invention, on a cylindrical structure, P; b) shows the dry setting element, A, docked on the cylindrical structure, P, for inspection and/or maintenance and/or repairs thereof; and c) shows the de-docking of the dry setting element, A, from the cylindrical structure, P, subsequent to the inspection and/or maintenance and/or repairs process.

Dry setting installation

According to a second aspect of the present invention a dry setting installation (1) is provided for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on part of a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation (1) comprising a first truncated elongated oval-shaped dry setting element of said first aspect of the present invention, which with said part of a partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round said part of said partially submerged structure.

The dry setting installation constitutes a work enclosure for servicing marine structures and may be a cofferdam. It is partially under the level of the water in which it is partially submerged and provides a substantially dry working space. It is secured to the partially submerged structure.

Process

According to a third aspect of the present invention a process is provided for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, said process comprising the steps of: closing the dry setting element of the first aspect of the present invention with said part of said partially submerged structure, sealing said dry setting element on said part of said partially submerged structure thereby providing a dry setting installation; pumping the water out of said dry setting installation thereby providing a cofferdam round said part of said partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of said part of said partially submerged structure; curing said curable adhesive coating, filling said dry setting installation with water, removing said dry setting element from said part of said partially submerged structure.

The dry setting element can, for example, be operated from a motorised pontoon measuring 8 m by 25 m with during the treatment operation an overhanging superstructure requiring a total width of water of 12 m.

According to a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, said dry setting element is mountable and removable by one or more divers, preferably a single diver.

According to a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, said cleaning of the surface is performed with a high pressure jet of water e.g. working at a pressure of 130 to 2500 bar, preferably until a chloride concentration below 50 ppm is realised. This cleaning removes any incrustation and reduces the concentration of chlorides on the surface of the isolated structure to an acceptable level e.g. below 50 ppm. Mains water or freshwater is preferably used during the cleaning process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the surface of the isolated element is blasted with fine particles, e.g. sand or other mineral, to a finish corresponding to Swedish Standard for sandblasting cast iron of Sa2.5 i.e. very thorough blast cleaning, near white metal 85% clean, the surface shall be free from visible oil, dirt and grease, from poorly adhering mill scale, rust, paint coatings and foreign matter, the metal has a greyish colour; and any traces of contamination shall be visible only as slight stains in the form of spots or stripes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, said dry setting installation is filled with water before said curable adhesive coating is cured.

The curable adhesive coating is preferably applied after removing fine particles from the surface and a nominal coating thickness of 400 μm applied with an airless spraying apparatus. Any major surface irregularities or joints are preferably filled with a paste e.g. Humidur® epoxy paste to seal them. After visual checking of the spray work and the unhardened layer thickness, the dry setting installation is filled with water.

According to a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, said curable adhesive coating is exclusive of solvents.

Anti-corrosion treatment with Humidur® may involve, for example:

-   1) cleaning and removal of vegetation from the surface to be treated     with a high pressure cleaner (e.g. 300 bar); -   2) needle hammering and chip off scaling corrosion; -   3) grit-blasting of the surface to the Swedish Standard of SA 2.5; -   4) rinse with freshwater to remove the chlorides from the surface; -   5) dry blasting of the surface; -   6) prebrushing and/or filling of joints and seams with Humidur® P     (putty) or with rapidly hardening putty (compatible with the paint     system) in the event of leaking; -   7) airless spraying of the surface with Humidur® ML (400 μm nominal     layer thickness followed by visual inspection.

Curable Adhesive Coatings

Curable adhesive coatings are preferred which are based on hardening systems selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxy-resins/polyisocyanate systems, epoxy/amine systems, phenoxyresin/polyisocyanate systems, epoxy/polyaminoamide resin systems, dialkanolamine-modified epoxy-resins/polyisocyanate systems, epoxy/poly-isocyanate systems and silicone systems being preferred and epoxy/amine systems being particularly preferred.

The adhesive coating used in the process, according to the present invention, may further comprise additives e.g. fire retardants, stabilizers etc. Preferred additives include zinc phosphate and zinc oxide.

The adhesive coating is preferably applied to the support in situ according to the manufacturer's recommendations on fresh or newly cleaned e.g. by sandblasting surfaces. Curing is preferably performed at ambient temperature.

INTERGARD® 403 is a tar-free, light-coloured epoxy coating for marine applications.

Polyhydroxy-Resins:

The synthesis of resin (1) proceeds by using bisphenol and epichlorhydrin as starting materials as described e.g. in “The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers” by D. H. Solomon, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York (1967), the chapter “Epoxy Resins”, p. 179-189).

Preferred bisphenol-epichlorhydrin resins are derived from bisphenol A (4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) and epichlorhydrin.

Suitable commercially available resins according to general formula (I) are phenoxy resins from InChem Corp. sold under the tradename PHENOXY, e.g. PHENOXY® PKHC, PHENOXY® PKHH, PHENOXY® PKHJ and PHENOXY® PKHM-301 and high molecular weight epichlorhydrin epoxy resins such as EPONOL® Resin 53-BH-35 and EPONOL® Resin 55-BH-30 (tradenames of Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.), DER 684-EK40 (tradename from Dow chemical); EPIKURE® P201 and EPIKURE® P202 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.

Dialkanolamine-Modified Epoxy Resins:

Dialkanolamine-modified epoxy resins can be prepared from commercially available epoxy resins by reaction with dialkanolamines in the melt or in a solvent mixture under reflux (see above-mentioned book of D. H. Solomon, p. 189-191).

(A) In the melt reaction the epoxy resin is heated to its melting point in a vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer and the equivalent amount of dialkanolamine quickly added with stirring. The mixture is further heated at temperatures between 100° C. and 200° C. depending on the chain length of the epoxy resin for two hours with inert gas being bubbled through the reaction mixture. After 2 hours the product is poured out of the vessel, allowed to cool and then broken up into small particles. The reaction is exothermic and cooling is necessary for larger quantities to avoid local overheating.

(B) In the reaction in a solvent mixture a 50 wt % solution of epoxy resin in a mixture of ethylglycol acetate, methylisobutylketone and xylene (2:1:1) is added to a vessel equipped with a reflux condenser, a thermometer and a stirrer. The equivalent amount of dialkanolamine is then added with stirring and the reaction mixture heated to its boiling point. After 2 hours under reflux, the reaction mixture is cooled and a 50 wt % solution of the dialkanolamine-modified epoxy resin obtained.

Polyisocyanates and Polyisocyanate Precursors:

Particularly suitable polyisocyanates and blocked polyisocyanates are derived from polyisocyanates or mixtures thereof e.g. 1,6-hexane diisocyanate (HDI); toluylene diisocyanate (TDI); diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI); 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate and 4,4′-diisocyanate-dicyclohexylmethane; isophorondiisocyanate (IPDI); triphenylmethane-4,4′,4″-tri-isocyanate, thiophosphoric acid tris(p-isocyanatophenyl ester).

The polyisocyanate may be set free in situ, e.g. by heat, from a blocked polyisocyanate also called a polyisocyanate precursor. Huntsman produces a large variety of MDI polyisocyanates and blocked MDI polyisocyanates under the tradename SUPRASEC e.g. SUPRASEC® 1000, pure MDI; SUPRASEC® 1004, modified MDI; SUPRASEC® 1007, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 1100, pure MDI; SUPRASEC® 1306, pure MDI; SUPRASEC® 1400, pure MDI; SUPRASEC® 1412, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 1612, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2004, modified MDI; SUPRASEC® 2008, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2010, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2018, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2020, modified MDI; SUPRASEC® 2021, MDI-based; SUPRASEC®, 2023, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2029, modified MDI; SUPRASEC® 2030, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2034, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2049, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2050, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 2054, MDI-based; SUPRASEC® 5005, polymeric MDI; SUPRASEC® 5025, polymeric MDI; and SUPRASEC® 5030, polymeric MDI.

Bayer Materials Science AG, Germany produces a large variety of polyisocyanates and blocked polyisocyanates under the tradename DESMODUR e.g. DESMODUR® N75, a 75% solution of a biuret HDI, DESMODUR® N100, a biuret HDT; DESMODUR® N3200, a biuret HDI (lower viscosity than DESMODUR® N100); DESMODUR® N3300, an HDI isocyanurate; DESMODUR® N3390, a 90% solution of an HDI isocyanurate; DESMODUR® L75, a 75% solution of a TDI-adduct, DESMODUR® IL, a TDI-isocyanurate; DESMODUR® IL 1351, a TDI-polyisocyanate; DESMODURO HL, a TDI/HDI-polyisocyanate; DESMODUR® VL, a MDI-polyisocyanate; DESMODUR® Z4370, an IPDI-isocyanurate; and blocked polyisocyanates, such as: DESMODUR® BL3175, a blocked HDI-type crosslinking stoving urethane resin; and DESMODUR® BL100, a blocked TDI-type crosslinking stoving urethane resin.

A suitable polyisocyanate precursor, also called a blocked polyisocyanate compound, for use according to the present invention has the following structural formula P:

Said polyisocyanate precursor has a good stability at room temperature (20° C.) and generates free polyisocyanate in the temperature range of 100° to 150° C.

The synthesis of resins (1) proceeds by using a bisphenol and epichlorhydrin as starting materials as described e.g. in “The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers” by D. H. Solomon, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York (1967), the chapter “Epoxy Resins”, p. 179-189).

Epoxy Resins:

Examples of epoxy resins for use according to the present invention are within the scope of at least one of the following formulae (I), (II), (III), (IV) and (V):

wherein R″ is an alkyl group and a ≧0

in which: X represents S, SO₂,

each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ (same or different) represents hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group or an aryl group; or R⁷ together with R⁸ and R⁹ together with R¹⁰ represent the atoms necessary to close a cycloaliphatic ring, and x is zero or an integer;

wherein R¹² is an alkyl group;

wherein X has the same meaning as above;

wherein each of R¹³ and R¹⁴ (same or different) represents hydrogen or an alkyl group and b≧0.

Commercially available bisphenol A-epichlorhydrin epoxy resins according to formula II are mentioned hereinafter by their tradenames: EPON® 828, EPON® 1001, EPON® 1002, EPON® 1004, EPON® 1007, EPON® 1009, EPONOL® Resin 53-BH-35 and EPONOL® Resin 55-BH-30 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.; BECKOPDX® 828, BECKOPDX® EP309 and BECKOPDX® EP307 from CYTEC; DER® 331, DER® 667, DER® 668, DER® 669, DER® 681 and DER® 684-EK40 from Dow Chemical, U.S.A.; and ARALDITE® GT 6071, ARALDITE® GT6609, ARALDITE® GT6097, ARALDITE® GT6099, and ARALDITE® GT7077 from Huntsman.

A commercially available bisphenol F-epichlorhydrin epoxy resin according to formula II is: DER® 352 from Dow Chemical, USA; EPIKOTE® 862 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.; and ARALDITE® GY 281 and ARALDITE® GY 282 from Huntsman.

A commercially available bisphenol A/bisphenol F-epichlorhydrin epoxy resin according to said formula II is: EPON® 235 from Shell Chemical Co.

A commercially available epoxy resin according to said formula IV is: ARALDITE® MY 721 from Huntsman.

Commercially available phenol novolak epoxy resins according to said formula V are: DEN 431, DEN 438 and DEN 439 from Dow Chemical; EPIKURE® 155 and EPIKURE® 152 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.; and ARALDITE® PY 307-1, ARALDITE® EPN 1180, ARALDITE® EPN 1179, ARALDITE® GY 1180 and ARALDITE® EPN 1138 from Huntsman.

The preparation of epoxy resins proceeds, for example, by etherification of a polyphenol with epichlorhydrin or dichlorhydrin in the presence of an alkali as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,209. Many examples of epoxy resins are described in the Handbook of Epoxy Resins, Henry Lee and Kris Neville, 1967, McGraw Hill Book Company.

The synthesis of resins (1) proceeds by using a bisphenol and epichlorhydrin as starting materials as described e.g. in “The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers” by D. H. Solomon, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York (1967), the chapter “Epoxy Resins”, p. 179-189).

Preferred bisphenol-epichlorhydrin resin derivatives are prepared from bisphenol A (4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) and epichlorhydrin.

Amines:

Amines for curing epoxy resins include polyetheramines, ethyleneamines and their adducts, polyamides and amidoamines, arylyl diamines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, Mannich bases and phenalkamines and Lewis bases/catalytic curing agents. Depending upon the choice of amine curing temperatures from room temperature are available.

Examples of poly NH-group amines for use according to this invention, which are able to render epoxy resins insoluble in methylene chloride are:

-   i) polyetheramines (PEAS) and their adducts e.g. polyoxypropylene     amines commercially available under the tradename JEFFAMINE® from     Huntsman e.g. JEFFAMINE® T-403 with the general formula:

in which c+d+e is about 5.3 JEFFAMINE® D-230 with the general formula:

in which f is about 2,6 JEFFAMINE® M-300 with the general formula:

in which g is about 2; JEFFAMINE® D-400; JEFFAMINE® D-2000; JEFFAMINE® HK-511; JEFFAMINE® M-2070; JEFFAMINE® T-5000; EPIKURE® 3230 and EPIKURE® 3233 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc,

-   ii) polyamides and amidoamines. Examples of polyaminoamide resins     for use according to this invention are the reaction products of     polymeric fatty acids and polyalkylene polyamines. Illustrative of     such polyalkylene polyamines are ethylene diamine, diethylene     triamine and triethylene tetramine. These polyaminoamides have a     high amine number, preferably in the range of 50 to 400. The     polymeric fatty acids can be prepared by thermal polymerization of     unsaturated fatty acids, for example, linoleic acid, linolenic,     oleic acid, stearic acid and the like as described e.g. in U.S. Pat.     No. 5,051,209. VERSAMID® (tradename) resins sold by Cognis are, for     example, condensation products of dimer acids and a mixture of     alkylene polyamines. Commercially available polyaminoamides for use     according to this invention are mentioned hereinafter by their     tradenames: VERSAMID® 140, VERSAMID® 125 and VERSAMID®115 from     Cognis; UNIREZ® 1002, UNIREZ® 1307 and UNIREZ® 5211 from Union Camp     Chemicals (UK) Ltd.; EPIKURE® 3060, EPIKURE® 3100, EPIKURE® 3115,     EPIKURE® 3125, EPIKURE® 3140, EPIKURE® 3055, EPIKURE® 3180, EPIKURE®     3060, EPIKURE® 3090, EPIKURE® 3123, EPIKURE® 3940 and EPIKURE®     8540-MU-60 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc., ARADUR® 140,     ARADUR® 115, ARADUR® 125 from Huntsman; BECKOPDX® EH 654, BECKOPDX®     EH 651 and BECKOPDX EH 652 from CYTEC; and EPILINK® 173, EPILINK®     350, EPILINK® 353 and EPILINK® 354 from Akzo-Nobel, The Netherlands. -   iii) ethylene diamines such as DETA (diethylenetriamine), TETA     (triethyleneteramine), TETA (tetraethylenepentamine) and AEP     (N-aminoethylpiperazine) available from Huntsman; -   iv) aliphatic polyamines such as EPIKURE® 3213, EPIKURE® 3214,     EPIKURE® 3223, EPIKURE® 3234, EPIKURE® 3245, EPIKURE® 3266, EPIKURE®     3270, EPIKURE® 3271, EPIKURE® 3273, EPIKURE® 3274, EPIKURE® 3282,     EPIKURE® 3295, EPIKURE® 3164, EPIKURE® 8537-WY-60, EPIKURE® 3200,     EPIKURE® 3213 and EPIKURE® 3283 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals     Inc.; and ARADUR® 45 and ARADUR® 76 from Huntsman. -   v) heterocyclic poly NH-group amines e.g. 4-aminomethylpiperidine     and 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine

-   v) cycloaliphatic poly NH-group amines e.g. PACM     [bis-(p-aminocyclohexyl)-methane], DACH (diaminocyclohexane) and     DMCH [bis-(dimethyldiamino-cyclohexyl)methane and isophorondiamine     derivatives commercially available as EPILINK 420 from Akzo-Nobel,     The Netherlands, EPI-CURE® 3300, EPIKURE® 3381, EPIKURE® F205,     EPIKURE® F206 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc ; and ARADUR® 2963     from Huntsman; -   vi) aromatic poly NH-group amines or derivatives thereof e.g. MDA     (methylene dianiline), m-PDA (m-phenylene diamine), DDS     (diaminophenyl sulfone); 4.4′-diaminodiphenylmethane     (DDM)-derivatives commercially available as EPI-CURE® 153 from     Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc., ARADUR® 850 from Huntsman,     4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulphone; 1,3,5-tris(4′-aminophenyl)benzene, and     3,5-diphenylaniline, 3,5-di(2-thiophenyl)-aniline,     5-(4-aminophenyl)-2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-oxazole,     N-(4-aminophenyl)carbazole and meta-phenylenediamine; -   vii) aromatic poly NH-group amines wherein aliphatic amino groups     are attached to an aromatic backbone e.g.: meta-xylylene diamine     commercially available as EPILINK® MX from Akzo, The Netherlands;     3-phenyl-2-propylamine, phenalkamines on the basis of cashew nut     shell liquid commercially available as CARDOLITE® NC541 and     CARDOLITE® NC541 LV from Cardolite Corporation; -   viii) Manich base-type amine such as EPIKURE® 3251 from Hexion     Specialty Chemicals Inc.; ARADUR® 14 from Huntsman; and BECKOPDX® EH     628 from CYTEC. -   ix) Dicyandiamide such as EPIKURE® P104, EPIKURE® P108 and EPIKURE®     P143 from Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.

Lewis bases/catalytic curing agents for use according to the present invention, which are able to render epoxy resins insoluble in methylene chloride by catalyzing the self-crosslinking of epoxy resins are cyclic aliphatic amines and tertiary amines, e.g. piperidine, 2,5-dimethyl-piperazine, triethylamine, benzyldimethylamine (BDA), 2-dimethyl-amino-methylphenol (DMAMP), 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (TDMAMP)

Polyhydroxy Resin/Polyisocyanate Systems:

The binder is composed essentially of resins (1) and/or (2) crosslinked with at least one polyisocyanate, said resin (1) before its crosslinking corresponding with the following general formula (I):

in which: X represent S, SO₂,

each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁹ and R¹⁰ (same or different) represents hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group or an aryl group; where R⁵═OH,

each of R⁷ and R⁸ (same or different) represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group or together represent the necessary atoms to close a cycloaliphatic ring; and x≧4; and said resin (2) before its crosslinking being an epoxy resin that has undergone a reaction with a dialkanolamine. Preferably having a total amount of free HO-groups in an equivalent ratio range from 1.8:1 to 1:1.8 with respect to the free isocyanate groups of said polyisocyanate(s).

The hardening reaction taking place preferably at elevated temperature is mainly based on the reaction between the isocyanate groups or the thermo-generated isocyanate groups and the free hydroxyl groups of the resins (1) and/or (2), but is also based on the formation of allophanate groups in a reaction of already formed urethane groups in said resin with isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate [D. H. Solomon “The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, (1967) p. 203].

Epoxy/Polyisocyanate Systems:

The binder has been made insoluble in methylene chloride by crosslinking and consists essentially of at least one resin (1) crosslinked with at least one polyisocyanate, said resin (1) before its crosslinking corresponding to the following general formula (I):

in which: X represent S, SO₂,

each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁹ and R¹⁰ (same or different) represents hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R⁵ is —OH,

each of R⁷ and R⁸ (same or different) represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group or represents the necessary atoms to complete, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a cycloaliphatic ring, and n is zero or an integer; wherein the ratio of total free hydroxy-groups in said resin(s) according to formula (I), expressed as hydroxy-equivalents, to the total isocyanate equivalents in said polyisocyanates is in the range 3.0:1 to 1:2.0.

The hardening reaction taking place preferably at elevated temperature is mainly based on the reaction between the isocyanate groups or the thermo-generated isocyanate groups and the free hydroxyl groups of the resins (1) and/or (2), but is also based on the formation of allophanate groups in a reaction of already formed urethane groups in said resin with isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate [D. H. Solomon “The Chemistry of Organic Film Formers”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, (1967) p. 203].

Epoxy/amine System:

The binder is composed of one or more polyepoxy compounds self-crosslinked under the influence of at least one amine catalyst and/or crosslinked by reaction with at least one primary and/or at least one secondary poly NH-group amine and/or at least one polyamide resin having amino groups and being called herein polyaminoamide resins. Epoxy/amine systems for marine applications include SIGMAGUARD® 603, which is a two component solvent-free amine-cured epoxy-coating; and JOTUN® 87, which is a polyamine-cured epoxy mastic coating.

Particularly preferred are the HUMIDUR® range of two-pack, solvent-free polyamine cured epoxy systems from ACOTEC N,V: with outstanding rust resisting capacities. These contain binding agents with modifying components, which ensure excellent adhesion of the coating to the metallic or non-metallic substrate . The pigmentation consists of specially developed abrasion resistant extenders and coloring pigments. High molecular weight elastifiers are added to provide for sufficient flexibility. The resulting composition combines excellent adhesion, abrasion and impact resistance, and is at the same time hydrophobic, thus enabling the product to cure at low temperatures, even while immersed. The A component in each case contains non-crystallizable epoxy resins, high-tech modifying agents, elastifiers, lamelar abrasion and impact resistant fillers, and coloring pigments and the B-component contains the polyamine hardener complex.

Epoxy/polyamide System:

The binder is composed of one or more polyepoxy compounds crosslinked with polyamides. Epoxy/polyamide systems for marine applications include HEMPADUR MASTIC 45880/HEMPADUR MASTIC 45881 from HEMPEL.

It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments, specific constructions and configurations, as well as materials, have been discussed herein for devices according to the present invention, various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element is provided having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means.
 2. The truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure is the plane formed by the elongated edges or the closed parts thereof being external to the plane formed by the elongated edges and each at an angle of less than 60° thereto.
 3. The truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element according to claim 1, wherein said dry setting element is capable of being used at ambient pressure.
 4. A dry setting installation is provided for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation comprising a truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element, which with said partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round a part of said partially submerged structure, wherein said dry setting element is a truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means.
 5. A process is provided for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, said process comprising the steps of; closing a dry setting element with said part of said partially submerged structure, sealing said dry setting element on said of said partially submerged structure thereby providing a dry setting installation; pumping the water out of said dry setting installation thereby providing a cofferdam round said part of said partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of said part of said partially submerged structure; curing said curable adhesive coating, filling said dry setting installation with water, removing said dry setting element from said part of said partially submerged structure, wherein said dry setting element is a truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means.
 6. A method for carrying out inspection and/or maintenance and/or repairs on partially submerged structures using a mobile dry setting installation, wherein said dry setting installation generates a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on a partially submerged structure and said dry setting installation comprising a truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element, which with said partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round a part of said partially submerged structure, wherein said dry setting element is a truncated elongated angular-, oval-, or part-angular-part-oval-shaped dry setting element having two elongated extremities, a first end, a second end and a sealing means, said first truncated angular, oval- or part-angular-part-oval-shaped end being open and said second truncated oval-shaped end being closed with a floor having a free edge, wherein said sealing means comprises a structure extending between said elongated extremities and the free edge of said floor, said sealing means being closed except for an open part which is adapted to accommodate part of a partially submerged structure, and has sealing elements along the edges of said open part of said sealing means. 